News for WVU Potomac State College

Baylee Jarrett, a sophomore nursing student from Calvin, WV, was recognized with the Catamounts Climb Higher Award for January 2026 by President Jerry Wallace at WVU Potomac State College.

Dr. Allen Murphy and student Bud Hinkle are shown in front of Science Hall during a January 1961 snowfall. Dr. Murphy was a geology professor and advisor for Phi Kappa Omega fraternity.  Photo courtesy of Dinah Courrier, from her 2001 book "Potomac State College," part of the College History Series published by Tempus Publishing Inc. 

WVU Potomac State College serves as a significant economic engine and vital educational anchor for both the Potomac Highlands and the broader Appalachian region, according to a new study.  

The findings are part of a WVU and WVU Medicine comprehensive economic and community impact study. The study, conducted by national consulting firm Tripp Umbach, covers the national and statewide impact of both WVU and WVU Medicine, separately and combined, along with all three campuses and several key units across the system, including Athletics, Health Sciences, Research, and the alumni network.  

WVU Potomac State College President Jerry Wallace is pleased to announce the students who earned a place on the Fall 2025 President’s list. To be eligible for the President’s List, a student must be enrolled in at least 12-credit hours of graded courses, excluding courses in which any grade of Audit, Pass or Incomplete is recorded, and must earn a grade-point average of 3.700 or higher for the semester. A student is not eligible if the grade recorded for a course is: D, F, I (Incomplete), NR (Not Recorded), P (Pass), S (Satisfactory), or Audit. 

WVU Potomac State College Dean of Academic Affairs Phillip Douthitt is pleased to announce the students who earned a place on the Fall 2025 Dean’s List. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must be enrolled for at least 12-credit hours of graded courses, excluding courses in which any grade of Audit, Pass or Incomplete is recorded, and must maintain a grade-point average of 3.000 to 3.699 for the semester. A student is not eligible if the grade recorded for a course is: D, F, I (Incomplete), NR (Not Recorded), P (Pass), S (Satisfactory), or Audit.

Finishing Strong  

WVU Potomac State College closed out the Fall 2025 semester with lots of celebrations and fun activities. Last month, we celebrated the retirement of Professor John Stone, who, to my knowledge, will retire with 53.5 years as the longest tenured employee in WVU Potomac State College history.  

WVU Potomac State College Athletics has announced a new Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreement with the sports technology company Influxer, which will provide student-athletes with expanded opportunities to build their own personal brands while gaining access to valuable educational and professional resources.

"We're excited for this partnership to further enhance our athletic program," said PSC president Dr. Jerry Wallace. Wallace, who was a two-sport college athlete himself, said this new opportunity will allow each athlete to develop entrepreneurial skills. "And it creates excitement in our whole Catamount community as we celebrate and cheer for our athletes."

WVU Potomac State College has announced the addition of men’s wrestling at the NJCAA Division I level, increasing its intercollegiate athletics offerings to 15 varsity sports. The addition of wrestling marks another significant step in Potomac State’s ongoing commitment to expanding athletic opportunities for student-athletes across the region.

“It is important for our student-athletes to not only advance their education in pursuit of career goals, but to also continue to be challenged by competing and further honing their athletic abilities,” said Dr. Jerry Wallace, PSC president, who was a two-sport university athlete himself. “Student-athletes develop important life skills like discipline, teamwork, goal setting, and perseverance, all of which will serve their futures.”

Photo: Community leaders, educators, and nonprofit representatives gather for a campus–campus-community conversation in Keyser. 

Keilei Christian, a sophomore majoring in Agriculture from Lewisburg, WV, was recognized with the Catamounts Climb Higher Award for December 2025 by President Jerry Wallace at WVU Potomac State College.